[Ultra-Tech] HEDM explosive triggers for clean fusion

Agemegos · 12-13-2019, 09:38 PM

A little while ago I asked about using the high energy-density materials in TL9 chemical rocket fuels to make ultra-tech explosives with high REF: http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=162196

An SF story that I read recently suggested using "meta-stable materials" in place of a fission trigger to initiate fusion for the pulse unit of an orion drive. It made a point of "meta-stable materials" being more of a proliferation threat than the plutonium required for conventionally-triggered fusion explosives.

Does all that bear examination?

• Are HEDM explosives in the ballpark for initiating fusion without fission? I had a bit of an impression that neutrons from the primary, moderated by the channel filler, were important and not just the heat and pressure.

• Is it plausible that clandestine production of HEDM might be significantly harder to detect and monitor than that of fissibles?

• If you want to run a technothriller with an HEDM mcguffin, ought the HEDM to be being used to initiate fusion, or is it Dan Brown enough all by itself?

12-13-2019, 09:38 PM	#1
Agemegos Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oz	[Ultra-Tech] HEDM explosive triggers for clean fusion A little while ago I asked about using the high energy-density materials in TL9 chemical rocket fuels to make ultra-tech explosives with high REF: http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=162196 An SF story that I read recently suggested using "meta-stable materials" in place of a fission trigger to initiate fusion for the pulse unit of an orion drive. It made a point of "meta-stable materials" being more of a proliferation threat than the plutonium required for conventionally-triggered fusion explosives. Does all that bear examination? • Are HEDM explosives in the ballpark for initiating fusion without fission? I had a bit of an impression that neutrons from the primary, moderated by the channel filler, were important and not just the heat and pressure. • Is it plausible that clandestine production of HEDM might be significantly harder to detect and monitor than that of fissibles? • If you want to run a technothriller with an HEDM mcguffin, ought the HEDM to be being used to initiate fusion, or is it Dan Brown enough all by itself? __________________ Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat.